MONTREAL—Construction toy manufacturer Mega Bloks was stopped by a Dutch court from selling its blocks in the Netherlands because they too closely resemble products made by Danish toymaker Lego.

The district court in Breda dismissed Mega Bloks’ request to confirm that it could legally sell its toys in the Netherlands, Lego said in a company release.

“The ruling ensures that Dutch customers will not be misled,” Henrik Jacobsen, Lego’s lawyer, said in a statement. “The Breda court has indicated very clearly that with its identical brick products, Mega Bloks is indulging in unfair competition.”

Closely held Lego, based in Billund, Denmark, plans to challenge sales of what it terms "imitation products" all over the world, according the company. Lego lost its challenge in Greece two days ago when the country's Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal, allowing Montreal-based Mega Bloks to sell its toys in the $10 million-a-year market.

Lego also lost a challenge in Germany in early February when the country’s Patent and Trademark office ruled its patent invalid an allowed others to enter the country’s market (see playthings.com March 21, 2005). Lego is appealing that decision.